We have all heard the story before: The Pharisees and their buddies are following Jesus around and try to corner him…again, even after so many failed attempts. This time, they try to get him to go against the Roman government, thinking that the Romans would take care of their “Jesus problem.” When they asked, “If they should pay taxes to Caesar,” he responds by saying, “Give to Caesar what is Caesars and to God what is God’s (Mark 12:17).”
In my many discussions with church leaders in the area, the subject of finances came up. Many churches are struggling with a lack of financing these days. The reasons rage from job loss to property taxes that came early or even as simple as people forgetting their checkbook on a Sunday. Whatever the case, churches are finding themselves strapped for cash.
As we were talking, I thought of something profound (OK, not so profound or new, but something that is rarely said from the pulpit), I think that we feel like our money is ours to freely give and spend as we please, when in actuality: it’s Gods.
Think about it this way: Who designed you? God. Who gave you your gifts and talents? God. Who is ultimately responsible for the paycheck that you receive? God. So, whose name should really be in that “Pay to the Order of” line? God. You see, when you look at your money as God’s, you are forced to see things differently.
Many of us are going through hard times financially, but no matter what, God will take care of us:
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Matthew 6:19-34
Your offering depends on what God is calling you to give. For some people, that may mean 10% or tithing. For others, that may be $50 a week or even a month for others. And for some, that means giving time where you don’t have the money. Does that mean that by giving you may have to get the 46” LCD TV as opposed to the 60”? Maybe. It might even mean canceling HBO or getting the lower satellite package. What minstry could you help start/fund by putting in $5 a week? At the end of the day, God promises to take care of our needs and because of that shouldn’t we return just a little bit back to Him?
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